Louisiana reports first death related to Hepatitis A outbreak

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The Louisiana Department of Health reported the first death related to an ongoing Hepatitis A outbreak across the state. East Baton Rouge Parish and Livingston Parish reported the highest number of cases for surrounding parishes.

TIMELINE:

On April 26, 2019, Louisiana reported 139 cases of HAV infection, including three not linked to the current outbreak. This report also noted that one death has been associated with the outbreak.

On April 12, 2019, Louisiana reported 112 cases of HAV infection, including three not linked to the current outbreak.

On March 29, 2019, Louisiana reported 100 cases of HAV infection, including three not linked to the current outbreak.

On February 22, 2019, Louisiana reported 72 cases of HAV infection, including three not linked to the current outbreak.

On February 1, 2019, Louisiana reported 58 cases of HAV infection, including three not linked to the current outbreak.

On January 12, 2019, Louisiana reported 49 cases of HAV infection, including three not linked to the current outbreak.

On December 28, 2018, Louisiana reported 34 cases of HAV infection, including three not linked to the current outbreak.

On December 21, 2018, Louisiana reported 29 cases of HAV infection, including three not linked to the current outbreak.

On December 14, 2018, Louisiana reported 24 cases of HAV infection, including three not linked to the current outbreak. That’s nearly three times the number of cases LDH saw in 2017.

Hep A is contracted by consuming contaminated food or drink, through sex, and by being in close contact with someone in the same living quarters. Those at higher risk of getting the illness include travelers, pregnant women, people who inject drugs, and the homeless. An infected person can transmit the virus to others up to two weeks before symptoms appear, and even those who do not experience symptoms can transmit the virus to others.